Palestinian militants forced open a border gate between Egypt and Gaza on Friday, wounding an Egyptian officer before letting hundreds of people who had been trapped on the Egyptian side of the border to get into Gaza.

Armed militants stood by as people carrying suitcases crossed into Gaza. Some walked through on crutches while others walked or ran through the gate.

Egyptian police Capt. Mohammed Abdel Hadi said masked Palestinian militants firing guns broke into the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, clearing the way for the trapped Gazans.

About 1,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt since Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip began two weeks ago have crossed the border after gunmen blew a hole in a wall.

At least 70 gunmen, believed to be from the armed wing of Hamas, created the hole about 70 metres from the Rafah border terminal allowing hundreds of Palestinians to cross before an Israeli helicopter opened fire.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said that a military helicopter had fired warning shots to stop a "flood of people" crossing the border.

One masked gunman said during the operation: "This is a gift from Hamas to the Palestinian people."

The Rafah border terminal, the only way into Gaza that avoids Israel, has been closed since June 25.

Western diplomats said Israel prevented Rafah from opening by stopping European monitors getting to the terminal, citing security concerns.

Palestinians technically control the crossing, but its operations can be blocked by the Israelis.